The Hope pioneer., 1887-07-15
FROM THE PRESIDENT.

He Will Not Attend the Grand Army En-
campment.
President Cleveland will not attend the
Grand Army encampment, as will be seen
by the following letter from the President to
Mayor Francis.
Executive Mansion, Washington, July 4.
Hon. David R. Francis, Mayor aud Chair
man-Dear Sir: When I received the ex
tremely cordial and gratifying invitation
from the citizens of st. Louis, rendered by a
number OF her representative men, to visit
that city during the national encampment
OF the Grand Army of the Republic, I had
been contemplating for some time the ac-
ceptance of the invitation from that organ
ization to the same effect and had considered
the pleasure which it would afford me if it
should be possible to meet, not only men,
bers of the Grand Army, but the people of
st. Louis and other cities in the West which
occasion would give me an opportunity to
visit. Exactions of my public duties l feel
to be so uncertain, however, that when first
confronted by the delegation of which YOU
were the head, l expected to do no more at
the double invitation rendered to me, and to
express the pleasure it would give me to ac-
cept the same thereafter, if possible. But
the cordiality and sincerity of your presen-
tatlon, reinforced by the heartiness of the
people, peopie, who SUI surrounded you, SO i'm
the feeling which prompted me to
assure you on the spot that would be with
you and the Grand Army of the Republic at
the time designated, if nothing happened in
the meantime to absolutely prevent my
leaving Washington. Immediately upon
the public announcement Of this conclusion. sion
expressions emanating from certain impor-
tant members of the Grand Army of the
Republic and increasing in volume and viru-
lence, constrained me to review my accept
on ne fl,1,n s,,r,s 49,
referred to go to the extent of ofdeclaring that
would be an unwelcOme guest at the time
and place of the national encampment.
This statement is based, as well as l can
judge, upon certain official acts of mine in.
volying important public interests, done
under the restraints and obligations of my
oath of office, which do not appear to accord
with the wishes of some members of the
Grand Army of the Republic. l refuse to
believe that this organization, founded upon
patriotic ideas, composed very largely of
men entitled to lasting honor and considera-
ton, and whose crowning glory it should be
that they are American citizens as we'll as
veteran soldiers, deems it part of it's mis-
sion to compass any obj ct or purpose by at
tempting to intimidate the executive or
coerce those charged with making and exc
cutting the laws; and yet, the expressions to
which have referred, indicate such preva-
lence OF unfriendly feeling and such a
menace to an occasion which should be
harmonious, peaceful and cordial, that
they cannot be ignored. l beg you to
understand that am not conscious ( Of any
act OF mine which should make me fear to
meet the Grand Army of the Republic or
any other assemblage of my fellow citizens
The account of my official stewards ip is
trymen. I should net be frank if 1 failed to
confess, while disclaiming all resentment,
that have been hurt by these unworthy
and wanton attacks upon me, growing out
of this matter. and the reckless manner in
which my actions and motives have been
for which, however. the Grand Army Of
the Republic. as body, is not responsible
Threats of personal violence and harm in
case undertake the trip in question: which
scorf misguided, unbalapsed men, under
sum q or excltsd-fe" Bg, have made
ares onsi9> her than aban-
40 SD disappoint
yS 2One were con-
C S,ich, it is quite
1,elplessly suS-
\ Shipment, but I
y =. peoples high
th must pro-
cher the Grand
n organization,
ofits members,
Z scandalous at
Samong the mem
are some, as GER
3se, determined to
F.. 6ticial acts at the
believe they
p SO unrestrained
guest of their or
st of the hospitable
ilg is held. A num-
.. osts have signified
rmed, to remain
sent in case I visit
ithout considering
Scuse, feel that 1
fse of such non.at-
md place of the en-
long before my in
a. ID. Those desiring to
yedings should be first
gig should be permitted
II rintentions. Another
.e Importance than all
.. oe noticed. The fact
spu when you, verbally
on of the citizens Of
ming encampment Of